Staying informed: Elders want to be in the loop on mineral resources usage

NWA tribespeople attended Shuhada conference, political party workers also present

BANNU: Elders of North Waziristan have urged the government take them into confidence on the utilisation of mineral resources in their respective areas.

This was announced at a Shuhada conference at Bannu Press Club on Saturday. On the occasion, Awami National Party North Waziristan members were also in attendance.

They recalled the sacrifices rendered by their party members in the country, saying militancy is a well-planned conspiracy against Pukhtuns.

One of the participants of the conference said all those who demand peace and stability on the soil of Pukhtuns were being targeted.

Not only ANP members, but members of other parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Qaumi Watan Party were also present at the conference.

Speakers at the conference also endorsed the demand for the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as they believed it is the only way to end the status quo established under the British Raj.

Moreover, tributes were also paid to those who have been victims of terrorism, including Bashir Ahmad Bilour.

Through a resolution, participants also demanded early repatriation of all the displaced people of North Waziristan to their hometowns and be compensated for their destroyed and damaged property. They also asked the damaged shops and commercial buildings be reconstructed at the earliest.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.